Chennai Local Events
India is home to countless celebrations and festivals of both culture and faith, and so there are many events in Chennai throughout the year. These are an awakening for all of your senses and any traveller to India is sure to come across at least one if not many of these during their stay. Some may even plan their trip around these festivals; such is their wide ranging appeal.
Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu is a commercial and social melting point where people from different societies and cultural backgrounds are easily assimilated with the local people. The culture, art, architecture, literature, music and dance which encompass Tamil Nadu's diverse heritage are unique and exceptionally rich.
Just like the other Indian places, Chennai also celebrates a number of festivals such as Tourist Fair, Tayagaraja Festival and Pongal. The Dance Festival - Mamallapuram, Natyanjali Dance Festival, Arubathimoovar Festival, Tamil New Year or Puthandu, Kavadi Festival , Summer Festival, Kanthuri Festival, Velankanni Festival, Navratri, Karthigai Deepam and Music Festival.
Place: Mamallapuram , Chennai (1 Jan 2012 - 15 Feb 2012)This annual dance festival is performed on an open-air 'stage' created 13 centuries ago and against the backdrop of the incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas in the city of Mamallapuram.
Place: Chennai (1 Mar 2012 - 30 Apr 2012)
Arubathimoovar refers to the 63 saints of Shiva canonized for leading exemplary lives of devotion and penance. Annually, the 63 bronze figures that adorn Kapalizwar Temple are carried through Mylapore.
Place: Chennai (1 Apr 2012 - 31 May 2012)
Dancing in a hypnotic trance to the rhythm of drums, devotees of Muruga carry the 'Kavadi' a flower-decked decoration, all the way up the Palani Hills to fulfill their vow.
Place: Chennai (13 Apr 2012 - 14 Apr 2012)
'Puthandu' popularly known as 'Varusha Pirappu', marks the beginning of the Dravidian New Year in the State of Tamil Nadu
Place: Chennai (1 May 2012 - 30 Jun 2012)
The Summer Festival of Tamil Nadu is one of the most popular events in the region. It is held on hill stations of like Kodailkanal, Yercaud, Yelagiri Hills and Udhagamandalam.
Place: Chennai (1 Jul 2012 - 31 Aug 2012)
The Kanthuri Festival is held at Tamil Nadu's Shrine of Saint Quadirwali. One of the saint's descendent is chosen as spiritual leader of the celebration; they are then honored by the devotees.
Place: Chennai (8 Sep 2012 - 9 Sep 2012)
The celebration of this feast is an annual festival which lasts for 9 days and draws more than a million and a half pilgrims.
Place: Chennai (14 Oct 2012 - 22 Oct 2012)
Navarathri (nine nights) is one of the greatest festivals of India when God is worshiped in the form of Mother. This is a period of introspection and purification.
Place: Chennai (1 Nov 2012 - 30 Nov 2012)
Kaarthigai Deepam is a festival of lights, celebrated in the Tamil month of Kaarthigai. It is celebrated on the full moon of the month which coincides with the Krithikai star.
Place: Chennai (15 Dec 2012 - 15 Jan 2013)
The Chennai music and dance festival is a celebration of classical music and dance of South India held during mid December to mid January in the capital city of Chennai.
Place: Chennai (12 Jan 2013 - 15 Jan 2013)
Originally in Tamil Nadu, Pongal is one of the most significant festivals of the region celebrated to honor a good harvest and to rejoice in prosperity.
